7005 - PETE THE PIG AMERICAN LEPROSY MISSION BANK (BLUE)
Name/Title
7005 - PETE THE PIG AMERICAN LEPROSY MISSION BANK (BLUE)Description
7005 - PETE THE PIG AMERICAN LEPROSY MISSION BANK (BLUE) Pete the Pig is a fundraising icon tied to the American Leprosy Missions (now Hope Rises International, Inc.), a Christian mission organization founded in 1906 to combat leprosy and other neglected tropical diseases. In 1913, ten-year-old Wilbur Chapman, living in Kansas, was inspired by missionary William M. Danner’s work helping people with leprosy. Danner had visited Wilbur’s home to raise funds for leprosy patients, describing the suffering and stigma they faced. That night, Wilbur’s parents gave him three silver dollars. The next day, Wilbur bought a small piglet, named it Pete, and raised it carefully, feeding it corn, grain, and occasional treats. By the time Pete was ready to sell, Wilbur had raised $25 — enough to help ten people with leprosy. This act sparked a nationwide “Pete the Pig” fundraising movement. Missionaries and churches across the U.S. and abroad encouraged people to raise pigs, sell them, and donate the proceeds to the American Mission to Lepers. The campaign became a symbol of compassion, community, and faith-based charity. The American Leprosy Missions, originally the American Committee for the Mission to Lepers in India and the East, used Pete the Pig as a central fundraising tool for decades. Pamphlets, brochures, and annual convention materials featured Wilbur and Pete, showing how a simple act of care could generate life-changing support for leprosy patients. The movement helped raise millions of dollars for medical care, leprosaria, and anti-stigma programs. Legacy Today, Hope Rises International continues the mission of providing healing and hope to those affected by neglected diseases, but the “Pete the Pig” story remains a cherished part of its history — a reminder that even small acts of kindness can have a big impact when combined with faith and community action. If you see a vintage Bakelite pig bank labeled “American Mission to Leprosy, Pete,” it’s a collectible artifact from that era, symbolizing the organization’s long-standing commitment to compassion and serviceCollection
Banks - Pete The Pig American Leprosy Mission "Piggy" BankCategory
"Pete The Pig" American Leprosy Mission Piggy Bank
Missions Advance Through Stewardship, History